Mayor Eric Adams defends NYPD's actions to arrest protesters in NYC
NEW YORK -- There was a strong show of force by the NYPD on Tuesday night to clear protesters at both Columbia University and City College of New York two weeks after the pro-Palestinian protests first started.
The NYPD said there were 282 total arrests, including 109 at Columbia and 173 at City College.
In a news conference Wednesday morning, Mayor Eric Adams praised the arrests and the police commanders who carried them out.
"They are attempting to disrupt our city, and we are not going to permit it to happen," Adams said. "And we're proud to say they have been removed from the campus. The NYPD is precision policing ensured that the operation was organized, calm, and that there were no injuries or violent clashes."
Police officers in riot gear swarmed onto the Columbia University campus at 9 p.m. Tuesday in huge numbers. It was a show of force clearly intended to intimidate the demonstrators while preparing for the possibility of violent resistance that never materialized.
They moved through Hamilton Hall methodically and arrested those barricaded inside by the dozens.
New police body camera video shows NYPD officers inside the building, going room to room as they reclaimed Hamilton Hall.
They searched the encampment, where they would arrest others.
Nearly 300 were taken into custody both there and at City College, but not all of them, students.
WATCH | Protests, arrests at NYC Universities spark mixed reaction from lawmakers:
Police officials said many were outsiders who guided the protest and trained the students involved.
"We saw a shift in tactics that were being used and when you start using the intelligence that Intel was able to supply we knew it was time to communicate directly with the school and say you have more than a peaceful protest on your hand," Adams said.
Police commanders are seeking to determine how many were students. Sources say the protests have been under surveillance for the past several days.
"A lot of these people would have resisted but the way that these offices talk to them, handled them and took them into custody," said Deputy Commissioner Tarik Sheppard. "It was very professional."
After a night in custody, protesters and their supporters regrouped Wednesday outside NYPD Headquarters.
Fernando Bobis was one of them. He says he was demonstrating outside Columbia's gates when he was thrown to the ground and arrested.
"You can see for yourself. Nice bruises to boot and nice zip tie and swollen hands," Bobis said. "We will be here to protest another day. This kind of aggression towards us doesn't kill the movement. It makes it grow stronger."
ALSO READ | Nearly 300 protesters from City College of New York, Columbia arrested
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